Warrior King New Worlds (Crystal Kingdom #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,52

had to be in the eating room with all the men waiting for food. He would give him a few more moments until joining them.

Dragon shit! He needed to control his fear. Never before had he any real reason to be frightened. He was the prince and the strongest among the Citogen. His men were the top warriors and could not be defeated. He had nothing else he cared for. That had all changed now. His little mate had brought out more emotions than he knew existed in a fae. He certainly was not ready to handle them all.

His father limped through the entrance from the females’ tunnel to the top. Behind him were several of his warriors dressed in battle gear. Why were they here? The main entrance to the throne room opened, and more soldiers filed in, ready to fight.

“What is going on here?” he asked. “Why are they prepared for battle?” The king hobbled past him. “What happened to you? Are you hurt?” Ferrus swiftly went to his father’s side.

“Get away from me,” the royal growled. Ferrus backed a step, not believing the treatment from his father. The old man had been angry before, but never like this. Had he known that this strike would have caused his father so much grief, he would have acted differently to make it easier for him.

The soldiers filled the room around the throne. Again, he asked, “Why are my men armed when only you and I are in here? Do they think I would hurt my own father?” He looked around at all the stone-cold faces. Just like he had taught them.

The king sat in his seat, sitting very slowly. “First off, Ferrus, they are no longer your men.”

“What?” When he made a quick step toward the king, several swords swung toward him, stopping his progress. Fury roiled through him. Never had he expected his males to attack him. “Tell me what has happened.” His breaths had become shallow and fast. He was losing his patience.

“Silvo, the new leader, expressed his concern about laws that you allowed to be broken.”

“What the demon’s hell are you talking about?”

“Mates being together!” His father leaned forward, his face twisted with anger.

All right, he had had enough of this mate issue. “What is your problem with two fae who were born for each other being together? What is so goddess-awful about that?”

His father sat back in his opulent chair. “I tried to save you from my fate, but you refused to follow the rules. Since it is early on, I hope your suffering is not as cruel as mine has been.”

Ferrus’s mind spun, trying to put together the pieces his father was giving him. The problem was there weren't enough of them. What had his father suffered? The man had grieved his mate, his mother, after she died but…Where was Lilah?

He turned toward the exit, but more swords blocked his path. He stared into the eyes of his men around him. “Do you understand what is going on? My mate and I are fighting for your right to be open with your mates. You will no longer have to hide or be together in secret. You can show your love for each other.”

The king snorted.

Ferrus continued. “If you stop me right now, you are severing you and your mate’s connections. You will never be together or see each other after this. Silvo has made sure of that. Is that what you want?”

Behind him the king hollered out, “Guards, restrain him.”

Before anyone moved, a powerful high-pitched squelch tore through the room. The younger soldiers covered their ears while the older ones stood, shocked. Ferrus couldn’t believe it himself. The warning had never been used after he was born.

They were under attack.

Training kicked in, and Ferrus ordered his men to location one, which was to protect all entrances into the mountain. He had to find out what was happening to better plan the next move. But he couldn’t do that. He had to find his mate. But if his army fell before he could, they would be prisoners of the enemy.

Since Silvo was not in the room, he could only surmise the Kappie dick had his Lili. But where? He ran with his men to the main cavern where the guard who was outside when Ferrus arrived entered.

“Frontal assault. From the forest.”

“Location two,” Ferrus roared, borrowing power from his dragon. Everyone would move to the woodland side of the ridge. Something caught his attention. He turned